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Vandenberg reaches out to local community
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 30th Space Wing Small Business Programs Office hosted the 6th Annual Small Business Outreach Event March 21 in Santa Maria.
More than 100 people attended this half-day event to gather information on how to gain government contracts for their small business.
"Our goal is to try to include the community in as much as possible, and in as many of our requirements as possible," said James Mastin, Director of 30th SW Small Business Programs. "As we see small businesses succeed so does the rest of the economy."
The event featured seven guest speakers to include Lt. Col. Paul Schaum, 30th Contracting Squadron commander.
"I find that in a lot of cases businesses just don't know how to get their foot in the door," said Schaum. "I have made it a point to talk to small businesses in the local area to make sure that they understand our dedication to try to do business with them."
Schaum gave some tips to small business owners on how to maneuver themselves to become a viable option for government contracts.
"First you need a data universal numbering system number and this can be done through the central contractor registration," said Schaum. "When you get a central contractor registration code this starts the government tracking that your business is registered."
Entrepreneurs interested in obtaining more information can review a "12-Step Guide to Contracting Opportunities" at http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4577
This event also afforded small business owners the ability to network with key vendors and meet with large business owners.
"This is a great for us to meet people from Vandenberg so we can be able to do business with the base and it is a great networking event too," said Yolanda Hernandez, United Staffing Associates branch manager. "I think this event is going to be a good opportunity for a lot of people."
For more information on this annual event call James Mastin at 805-605-2403.